In addition to spying on Chaurisse and Laverne, Gwen and Dana Lynn also spy on Gwen’s father, Luster Lee Abernathy. Each year Dana Lynn is sent to walk past his house to see if he will recognize her. Finally, in 1986, he stops her to find out if she is lost. At first, she lies, but soon after she reveals her relation to him. He responds by saying he wants nothing to do with Gwen and by introducing Dana Lynn to his new wife and child as if she were a stranger. When she leaves, he barely acknowledges her. Back at the car, Gwen can tell Dana Lynn is lying when she says nothing unusual happened with her grandfather. Dana Lynn likes having this secret, so she decides not to tell Gwen about Luster’s new family no matter how much Gwen pushes.

Soon after, Dana Lynn takes a test that will allow her “to take college classes over the summer for free” (117). In the middle of the test, Raleigh shows up saying Miss Bunny, James’s mother, is dying and that she needs to meet Dana Lynn before she dies. Dana Lynn tries to protest so she can take her test, but Raleigh insists she go.